Arrhythmias USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 21-year-old man presents with palpitations and chest discomfort one week after a flu-like illness. Vital signs: BP 118/76 mmHg, HR 102 bpm, RR 18, Temp 37.2°C, SpO2 98% on room air. Troponin is mildly elevated at 0.08 ng/mL. Echocardiography demonstrates reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%. He denies orthopnea or dyspnea at rest. Which arrhythmia is he at increased risk of developing?
Answer choices
- ABenign respiratory sinus arrhythmia only
- BBradycardia from carotid sinus hypersensitivity only
- CVentricular arrhythmias due to inflamed myocardiumCorrect answer
- DAVNRT due to dual nodal pathways only
- EAtrial flutter due to congenital heart disease
- FAtrial fibrillation from atrial inflammation and stretch in myocarditis
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